Department of Health issues update on future of Co Derry GP surgery facing closure
The Department of Health has confirmed that a GP surgery in Co Derry will proceed with closure next week, with patients transferring to neighbouring practices.
Heath officials previously announced that the Fairhill practice in Magherafelt is set to close on Halloween, after health chiefs tried and failed to find a new contractor to take it over.
The Department said that the 2,334 existing patients registered at the practice would be spread across 13 GP surgeries in the local area.
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In an update on Thursday evening, a DoH spokesperson said: "Having pursued and assessed all feasible options at length, the Department has concluded that the assignment of patients is the best way to ensure continuity of GP services for those affected patients.
"Letters have been issued to patients by post today, detailing which of the 11 neighbouring GP surgeries in the Magherafelt and Mid-Ulster areas they will be allocated to with effect from 1 November 2024. Patients of Fairhill Health Centre should continue to access services there as normal until 31 October 2024.
"The current Fairhill Health Centre GP contractor submitted notice of intention to terminate contract - due to retirement - on 31 July 2024. That triggered an automatic three month period, where either the practice would close or a new GP contractor agreed to take it over.
"Significant efforts to find a new GP contractor were made but have proved unsuccessful. These included advertising the contract extensively, engaging with the local GP Federation, discussions with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and the local medical committee.
"Departmental officials have engaged repeatedly in relation to a proposal to build a new health centre in the locality. However, this proposal would have involved public funds being used to either pay rent significantly above market valuation or provide a capital grant to enable a Limited Company to develop and own the new premises. Neither of these options would have been possible under the arrangements for taxpayer-funded support for GP premises development."
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